(CNN) – Ann Romney will not be riding her dressage horse Rafalca at this summer's London Olympics, but she said Monday she was still proud to represent the United States in the global competition.

"I am so excited honestly to be able to represent the United States," Romney said in a radio interview with WJR's Frank Beckmann. "I have a horse that is going to be fighting for gold in London and I am very excited about that. Wow! It has been a dream of mine for a long, long time, ever since I was a little girl."

Romney said she did ride Rafalca herself, but the level of competition in London was beyond her abilities.

"I do ride this horse, but not in competition," Romney, the wife of presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, said Monday. "People say, 'Well you can ride at that level,' and I say, "Well…" It's like being the country club pro in one place, and then going to Wimbledon. You don't understand how professional these riders are that are riding at this level. It's quite competitive."

Rafalca earned a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Team on Saturday in the sport of dressage. The horse placed third in the Olympic Grand Prix Special Test, held Saturday in Gladstone, New Jersey. Rafalca scored an overall 73.169%, placing behind competitors Calecto V and Legolas, and ahead of nine others.

In her interview Monday, Romney also spoke about life on the campaign trail, saying she didn't mind the hoards of hecklers that have followed her husband's six-state, five day bus tour.

"It is what we love about America so I don't mind them," Romney said. "You know, they were shouting us down, trying to shout us down yesterday and I don't mind it. It is a great contrast about why we love this country and how hard people have to work to get to accomplish their dreams."

Asked if, as president, Mitt Romney and his family would take as many vacations as President Barack Obama, Romney responded with a laugh.

"I doubt that," she said. "Our vacations and our happiness comes from being with our children and our grandchildren."

Vacations, Romney explained, would likely take place at the family's own homes.

"We have our own places that we do that, and I'm assuming that we'll be doing the same," Romney said.

The Romney's own vacation homes in San Diego and on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

soundoff(127 Responses)

Given the wealth that they have, the Romneys can afford to have animals like that. Training aninmals at that level is very expensive. I can't imagine having the money to do that.

June 18, 2012 12:23 pm at 12:23 pm |

lyn

CNN why is this news? who the hell cares about this RICH woman, she or her husband have never ever work a day in their life, they only care about how many homes ,cars, now horses they are not in touch with the people who really need help right now. " God bless our President Obama he cares about us "

June 18, 2012 12:23 pm at 12:23 pm |

Al-NY,NY

Maybe someone in Flippy's campaign can tell her to keep quiet because her lame attempts at being a "regular" person are failing miserably

June 18, 2012 12:23 pm at 12:23 pm |

Myviewis

Jake –
Just look at this women's big moment in life...her prized and expensive horse being entered in the Olympics in the most snobbish of all competition...the Equestrian competition. A "sport" of the rich and noble. True to form, that's what the Romneys are, rich snobs playing America like a violin. Like real America is so engaged in Equestrian ---–competition.
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The exact same thing can be said about the Kennedys. You just ignored the Kennedys lucritive, rich, elite life because they were Democrats. But the Kennedys also had maids, horses, boats, lots of money they spend, tailored clothing, fancy parties, private schooling and only hung out with the rich. You cannot criticize Romney's wealth if you don't criticize a very rich, elite president of our country.

June 18, 2012 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

And you people are worried about President Obama playing golf! Let's face it, if Mitt Romney was to get into the White House, he'd be horse-in-around with the welfare and lives of the American people! After all, that's the only interest of the wealthy, aristocracy fun, games and entertainment!

June 18, 2012 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

Carol

It's an honor for this horse to be representing the United States of America at Wimbeldon, I just hope the horse makes it through without injuring itself, as so many race horses do.

June 18, 2012 12:26 pm at 12:26 pm |

just askin

wow... lefties really hate successful rich people. the envy and resentment is not good for you inside. eats you until nothing left. learn to love and accept and work hard and maybe you too can be as successful. but it all starts with hard work. what do you say? can you do it and get over your hatred?

June 18, 2012 12:27 pm at 12:27 pm |

Debby

Romney's horse's way will be paid by the Olympics not the Romney's. Geesh people you should be thrilled to cheer the US on in the Olympics instead of all the negativity. Read the article its so hard to get a horse to compete at this level never mind having one that is Olympic caliber.

June 18, 2012 12:28 pm at 12:28 pm |

Sam

You people realize that she got into horse riding because it's therapeutic and helps treat her MS symptoms, right? Shame on you all.

June 18, 2012 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |

Moby49

Spoken like a true elite. She has no idea how elitist she even sounds.....lol It would be the same if Romney is elected. He wouldn't even notice us ants. His whole circle consists only of 0.01%ers. Everything would be done with only them in mind. The rest of us? Well the rich do need servants to fire, don't they.

June 18, 2012 12:30 pm at 12:30 pm |

JL

Just your simple, average 1/4 billionaires wife finallly realizing her modest dreams....excuse me while I grab a tissue [blows nose].

June 18, 2012 12:31 pm at 12:31 pm |

RF

Wow, nothing like portraying herself as an everyday woman....who owns expensive horses. Every family has a dressage horse right? And the illegal workers to train it?

June 18, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |

GI Joe

Nice little tax break there, Ann.

June 18, 2012 12:34 pm at 12:34 pm |

g

romneys have all-ways been there for america–like mitt keeps saying.where are those jobs i sent overseas mr.obama

June 18, 2012 12:35 pm at 12:35 pm |

mcskadittle

are they going to build stables at the white house?

June 18, 2012 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

I think 'corporate raiding,' 'money laundering,'and 'tax evading,' will soon become olympic events so the GOP can enter into events they are good at.

June 18, 2012 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Do republicans really want this clan to represent the US?

June 18, 2012 12:37 pm at 12:37 pm |

Eddie The Barber

Isn't that special. She'll make a great first lady – NOT!

June 18, 2012 12:38 pm at 12:38 pm |

Cheryl Jefferies

Good for her! I hope the horse does well. How many of you have accomplished anything to speak of? Oh...I see: you're only good at bashing those who are successful. Typical. Jealous. Greedy. Selfish. Want something/everything for nothing. Fall for charismatic tyrants like Obama. Don't have the sense God gave a bunch of monkey wrenches, frankly.

June 18, 2012 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Watching people train your horse, watching people ride your horse, and watching people clean up after your horse is therapeutic?

June 18, 2012 12:39 pm at 12:39 pm |

Myviewis

mcskadittle

are they going to build stables at the white house?
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I don't think so, since they didn't build one for Macaroni, Caroline Kennedy's pony that lived in the White House. You do realize the Kennedys were first with horses before the Romneys?

June 18, 2012 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |

amerrealist

Wild horses in the west are captured, killed, and sold as food abroad, Romney's horse goes to the Olympics. Sort of like the way he views the wealthy, and the rest of us. Mitt "the jellyfish" rides again!

June 18, 2012 12:41 pm at 12:41 pm |

1twinsfan

Sam

You people realize that she got into horse riding because it's therapeutic and helps treat her MS symptoms, right? Shame on you all.

Wow, silly me. Here I am each month paying for medication that costs $1800 without insurance. I should have just bought a horse. Tell me, Sam, what do the people do who can't even afford the co-pay of that $1800 a month medication? Insurance companies don't discount it as much as other, more common medications such as anti-biotics.

June 18, 2012 12:44 pm at 12:44 pm |

J

Will the Romney's be visiting their babies, George, Ben and Andrew in the Caymen Islands?

June 18, 2012 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm |

realitybites

Oh my God! That's sooooo exciting! I'm like sooo excited for her! I sure hope she gets her friends together for a Soire or something to celebrate. Good for her. She must be soooo proud of her investment. See, Ann works. She is a very busy woman keeping up with her horsey. If only more women could be more like Annie.....